Six Tackles: Best Super League Back-Rowers of 2017
Here at Love Rugby League, we have selected the six stand-out back-rowers in the Betfred Super League in 2017.
BEN MURDOCH-MASILA (SALFORD RED DEVILS)
The Tonga international was the first Salford player to be named in the Super League Dream Team since David Hodgson back in 2006 and he fully deserved his place.
The 26-year-old has signed for Warrington Wolves for 2018, having scored 14 tries in 24 games this year. Ben Murdoch-Masila also bust 56 tackles as well as making 12 clean breaks.
MATTY ASHURST (WAKEFIELD TRINITY)
Many people said that the 28-year-old was unfortunate not to make the England squad for the World Cup because he has had, arguably, his best ever season for Trinity.
Matty Ashurst has been a regular in Chris Chester’s side this season, making 29 appearances in the league. He made a whopping 952 carries as well as 272 carries, scoring four tries.
MORGAN KNOWLES (ST HELENS)
The 21-year-old’s solid displays this year has made him a Saints regular and 2017 just keeps getting better for Knowles, with him starring for Wales in Papua New Guinea last weekend.
He was nominated for the Young Player of the Year award after making 28 appearances in Super League, making 856 tackles, 183 marker tackles and taking in 190 drives.
MIKE MCMEEKEN (CASTLEFORD TIGERS)
The 23-year-old has come on massively since his move from London Broncos. He has been named in England’s World Cup squad after having an impressive season for the Tigers.
Mike McMeeken has scored nine tries in 28 Super League games and has been fantastic. He has 11 assists, 45 offloads, 67 tackle busts, 345 carries and 726 tackles to his name in 2017.
LIAM FARRELL (WIGAN WARRIORS)
The 27-year-old has always gone under the radar because is just a consistent performer. With Liam Farrell, you always seem to get an eight out of 10 performance.
He made 24 Super League appearances in 2017, scoring five tries as well assisting five. He made 3,109 metres from 397 carries as well as making 772 tackles and busting 45 tackles.
MARK MINICHIELLO (HULL FC)
The Italy captain has been at Hull FC for a couple of years now and seems to get better with age! The 35-year-old always proves to be a handful for the opposition with rampaging runs.
Mark Minichiello played 25 games in the league this year, scoring three times. He bust a staggering 71 tackles while making 725 tackles in defence. He also made nine clean breaks.
Do you agree with our six selections? Or should someone else be in this list? Let us know in the comments below.
